On Friday morning, Nuggets executive Masai Ujiri told Denver-based radio show “Evans & Klatt” that he doubts Kenneth Faried (ankle) will play in Saturday’s Game 1. But Ujiri said that the two days off before Game 2 could give Faried enough rest to be ready for Tuesday.

Ujiri reiterated in a text to me that “we’ll see how today goes” and that ultimately the decision is that of Faried and the team’s medical staff.

Faried was asked Thursday if he would play in Game 1 and said: “Hopefully. I’m not making any promises, but if I’m cleared, I’m playing.”

The power forward Faried has undergone treatment for 3-4 hours a day, coach George Karl said. He hasn’t played since injuring his ankle last Sunday.

“When it first happened, I thought something broke,” Faried said Thursday, the first day he spoke publicly since Sunday. “I couldn’t put any pressure on it, it was hurting. But when the X-rays came back negative, I was happy.

“I feel physically better, I can walk without a boot, I can walk barefoot now, it’s just getting better and better each day. If I can walk, I can play – we’ll just see how good the tape job is.”

Faried provides energy unlike any other player on Denver’s roster, ferociously rebounding on both ends of the court, running the floor with the purpose. He averaged 11.5 points per game and 9.2 rebounds for Denver. Wilson Chandler has been starting in his place.